Alumni & Friends News

Every time Jimmy Franklin ignores his “fear voice,” something good happens. Overcoming that hesitation and doubt has led to professional roles managing major brands at Unilever and Suntory Global Spirits, landing on Out Magazine’s Out100 list, coordinating a successful brand partnership with GLAAD and meeting celebrities, and producing an album of original songs.

Building on Ohio State’s 85-year history of scientific leadership research, the Fisher Leadership Initiative hosted more than 200 professionals for a unique opportunity to assess their personal leadership styles and hear from storytellers, peers and behavior experts at the inaugural Conference on Principled Leadership.

Rachel Friedman, founder and CEO of TENFOLD and TENSPACE, former Alumni Award winner, and keynote speaker for Fisher’s Pre-Commencement ceremony, says the sky’s the limit when you live with purpose, passion and principles.

Michael Gade (BSBA ’74, MBA ’75) knows why gas and convenience stores like Sheetz seem to be popping up on nearly every street corner. A senior advisor in the convenience retail industry and Fisher’s 2025 Pace Setters Executive Award recipient, Gade has spent his career understanding consumer behavior.

Alumna Sally Wallace Heckman comes from a trailblazing family whose impact has been felt from Newark to Ohio State’s main campus. As a fourth-generation banking leader, she’s continuing her family’s legacy of providing financial stability and educational opportunities, helping shape the futures of countless central Ohio residents.

Neil Hegde has gone from free throws to finance, taking his lifelong love of basketball and turning it into a professional career. Discover how he’s made his hoop dreams a reality.

Lucas Tai’s (BSBA ’23) academic and professional careers have been an intersection of his many interests: government service, the automotive industry, sustainability, emerging technologies, economics and public policy. Recently selected as Ohio State’s first-ever Schwarzman Scholar, Tai is excited for the global fellowship ― and its potential to help him revitalize the Midwest.

A clinician at heart, Jess Pfister (MBA ’19) loves creating exceptional experiences for patients at the Wexner Medical Center Outpatient Care New Albany. As an advocate for family, patients and staff, she finds ways to speak for those who don’t have a voice. Find out how this servant leader has leaned into the uncomfortable to not only stay patient-centered, but to advance her career.

Meet the family behind the newest addition to Fisher’s campus ― the Daley Family Pavilion and Terrace. The new, award-winning space is a premier destination for events and gatherings at Ohio State and celebrates the Daley family’s longstanding connection to business education at Fisher.

Leading teams, building and making connections and creating inclusive environments have propelled Chris Phillips (BSBA ’97) to top positions in technology. Discover how this vice president and general manager of Geo at Google, and former Alumni Award winner, is using the latest technology to deliver products that matter for the world.

During Ohio State’s homecoming weekend on Oct. 26, the Daley family joined Fisher administrators, faculty and staff and members of the Buckeye community for the dedication and ribbon cutting of the newest addition to Fisher's campus, the Daley Family Pavilion and Terrace.

Fisher’s fourth annual Alumni of Color Network Weekend celebrated eight alumni for their work as trailblazers and change agents dedicated to making a positive impact in business and academia. Meet the distinguished graduates who were honored for being leaders in their profession, in business and throughout their communities.

Fisher’s Executive MBA (EMBA) takes a vested interest in the development of future business leaders. See how the program’s hands-on approach to analytical strategies, change management principles and global perspectives is changing the way companies like Worthington Steel do business.

Educating the next generation of sports fans is the driving force behind alumnus Michael Gold’s (MBA ’12) latest venture. Learn more about his entrepreneurial playbook – a flexible mindset, teamwork and discipline – and how lessons learned at Fisher are helping young children understand the complexities of sports such as football and soccer.

What does operational excellence look like? For alumna Jenna Dickerson (MBOE '20), it's ensuring that, as the Laboratory Safety Program Manager for Ohio State's Environmental Health and Safety, the 2,900 labs across the university's campus are safe places for research, learning and teaching.

Alumna Jenna Weiner (BSBA '17) reflects on her time as a Fisher student, what drew her to the logistics industry and how a pivotal internship helped propel her into a successful career at C.H. Robinson.

For Anthony Monaco (BSBA ’88), traveling the world eventually led to a deeper mission: ensuring that children receive quality education. Through his nonprofit Autism Beyond Borders, Monaco is helping children, their teachers and families get the sensory-related support, enrichment and coaching necessary for students to succeed.

Buckeyes do good all around the world, and Fisher alumna Ally Pesta (BSBA '18), Keshawn Harper and Rick Milenthal are helping others by focusing their efforts on topics such as body image, kids, and anti-suicide efforts.

Land-Grant Brewing founders Adam Benner (BSBA '06) and Walt Keys are Buckeye pals making a business brimming with college-like fun. Check out how they brought that fun and enthusiasm to thousands of customers during the spring's total solar eclipse.

Recent Ohio State graduate Noah Wheeler represents the third generation in his family to earn an MBA from Fisher. Discover how his father’s and grandfather’s professional success influenced his decision to earn his degree from Fisher and helped pave the way for his future in business.

See how Fisher and Ohio State celebrated the accomplishments and the professional potential of the Class of 2024 graduates, including more than 2,000 Business Buckeyes.

Justen Turner has turned a childhood passion into a promising career as a young entrepreneur and filmmaker. Explore Turner’s path to and through Ohio State ― and what the future holds for the Class of 2024 graduate.

Learn about the product of Imran Nuri's (BSBA '20) newest project, a self-published book highlighting photos and advice from 1,000 strangers he met during a 48-state road trip across the U.S.

A curious mind and a desire to help his community led Robert Sanders (BSBA ’00) to a career focused on rebuilding Cincinnati’s urban core through collaboration, creating stability and providing economic opportunities. His real estate company ― with its unique and wholistic perspective to redevelopment ― is bringing communities together.

The advice of a legendary rock band, an iconic football coach and a few business mentors have shaped Michael VanPutte’s (BSBA ’88) path as a pioneering researcher, a U.S. servicemember during times of disasters and — most recently — as an educator and mentor to the next generation of Buckeyes.